Survey Reveals Downtowners’ Top Concerns: Crime Reduction, Help for the Homeless, Trash Removal
In identifying Lower Manhattan priorities to be addressed in the City’s budget for the fiscal year 2027 (which will begin on July 1, 2026), Community Board 1 solicited opinions from local residents and workers about which issues concern them most. Responses to the survey guides the formulation of CB1’s District Needs Statement, which is submitted to the City each November to influence budget decisions by mayoral agencies in the upcoming fiscal year.
Results from the survey, which was sent to those on CB1’s email list several months ago and recently tabulated, were reviewed by the Broadsheet.
Among the 129 responses, the three most-often cited concerns were “quality of life issues (noise, graffiti, petty crime, etc.),” named by 34.4 percent; “crime and public safety” (33.6 percent), and “trash removal & cleanliness” (30.3 percent).
Respondents were also asked to break out more granular priorities for seven subject areas. In the Healthcare and Human Services category, “services to reduce or prevent homelessness” were cited by 34.0 percent, while “mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs” were cited by 21.6 percent.
For Youth, Education, and Child Welfare, the three highest-scoring areas of concern was “youth workforce development and summer youth employment” (14.9 percent), along with “school and education facilities (capacity)” and “after school programs” (both 11.7 percent).
Under Public Safety and Emergency Services, “general crime” was prioritized by 31.9 percent, followed by “crime prevention programs” (15.4 percent), and “public nuisance (noise, other disturbances)” (14.3 percent). For Core Infrastructure, City Services, and Resiliency, “cleanliness/trash collection” was ranked highest by 40.1 percent, trailed by “preparedness for extreme weather events” (16.5 percent).
In the realm of Housing, Economic Development, and Land Use, “affordable housing creation” was the most important goal for 18.9 percent, ahead of “small business services/support” (15.6 percent), and “commercial district revitalization” (14.4 percent). The heading of Transportation and Mobility was led by “subway service and quality” (19.3 percent), which was trailed by “traffic safety and enforcement (cars, scooters, ebikes, etc.)” (14.8 percent), and “bicycle network” (12.5 percent).
Finally, under the banner of Parks, Cultural, and Other Community Facilities, concern about “insufficient park or open space” was cited by 28.4 percent, ahead of “park care and maintenance” (18.2 percent), and “park safety” (10.2 percent).